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Key Evangelical Leader to Endorse Huckabee

First primary endorsement ever for Focus on Family founder

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 8, 2008 4:41 AM CST
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(Newser) – One of the most influential Evangelical Christian leaders in the nation is expected today to endorse Mike Huckabee, providing a major boost to his campaign among conservatives, AP reports. James Dobson, founder of Colorado's Focus on the Family organization, has never before endorsed a Republican presidential candidate during a primary campaign. Dobson has grabbed national headlines with a number of controversial comments, including linking stem cell research to Nazi medical experiments and implying that the cartoon character Sponge Bob Square Pants is gay.

Huckabee, who had been avidly seeking Dobson’s endorsement, yesterday also asked for support from backers of Mitt Romney after his rival's withdrawal from the race. “As a true, authentic, consistent conservative, I have a vision to bring hope, opportunity and prosperity to all Americans, and I’d welcome the support of those who had previously been committed to Mitt,” the former Arkansas governor said in a statement.

Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee greets supporters at his election watch party as his wife Janet looks on in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee greets supporters at his election watch party as his wife Janet looks on in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Danny...   (Associated Press)
Dr. James Dobson, Founder of the Focus on the Family, talks in this April 24, 2005 file photo, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Patti Longmire)
Dr. James Dobson, Founder of the Focus on the Family, talks in this April 24, 2005 file photo, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Patti Longmire)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov.Mike Huckabee speaks to supporters at his election watch party in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov.Mike Huckabee speaks to supporters at his election watch party in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)   (Associated Press)
Supporters of Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee cheer at the election watch party in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Wintroath)
Supporters of Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee cheer at the election watch party in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Wintroath)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, speaks at a campaign rally in Texarkana, Ark., Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, one day before the Super Tuesday presidential primary elections. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, speaks at a campaign rally in Texarkana, Ark., Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, one day before the Super Tuesday presidential primary elections....   (Associated Press)
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Related links

Romney drops out
Chicago Tribune

Focus on the Family official web site
Focus on the Family

Dobson picks a fight with Sponge Bob
New York Times

'Grotesque' stem cell link to Nazis
Wall Street Journal

 
Mitt Romney • James Dobson • Mike Huckabee • Focus on the Family • evangelicals • Republican candidate • endorsement • Election 2008

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